CNY regional jobless rates continued to fall in January versus a year ago

ALBANY, N.Y. — Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, Watertown–Fort Drum, Binghamton, Ithaca, and Elmira regions all declined in January compared to the year-ago month as regional job markets improved from the effects of the pandemic.

The figures are part of the latest New York State Department of Labor data released on Tuesday.

The unemployment rate in the Syracuse area fell to 4 percent in January from 6.6 percent in January 2021.

Around the region, the Utica–Rome area’s rate fell to 4.3 percent from 7.1 percent; the Watertown–Fort Drum region’s number dropped to 4.7 percent from 6.7 percent; the Binghamton area posted 4.4 percent unemployment compared to 6.8 percent; the Ithaca region’s rate fell to 2.8 percent from 4.9 percent; and the Elmira region’s jobless number was 4.1 percent in January, down from 6.8 percent in the same month a year ago.

The local-unemployment data isn’t seasonally adjusted, meaning the figures don’t reflect seasonal influences such as holiday hires.

The unemployment rates are calculated following procedures prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state Labor Department said.